Buchi Babu tournament, 2009-10

[Chandan]

That Arjun Yadav episode is blown out of proprtions. While Arjun is no saint, but independents say he was good enough to be in the Ranji Squad and he does decently good. OTOH -- Rayudu wanted to be treated like Sachin Tendulkar -- and when he did not get that treatment -- he started flinging mud. Problem with the Indian Junior Ranks they see all these guys on TV and when they shoot into prominence they walk and talk with aura of a SRT, while the Indian Board and Selectors give a rats ass to what they did. And I am glad Indian Board and Selectors are doing more and more of this and they wait for the Bat to talk at places where it matters the most. He has the talent -- but he seems to be a man of big ego. Hope he puts all that to rest and makes his bat talk.

We'll get the evidence this season itself. If he is not heckled and is good enough then he'll perform or else no one will care! BTW, if you are defending Shivlal Yadav, then I think I don't need to even debate with you.

[Mamu]

I am not defending Shivlal Yadav. Shivlal might have helped his son, my point is Arjun Yadav deserves a place in the battered and bruised Hyd Ranji Team. Remember when 7 or 8 guys deserted Hyd, that was the 1st thing Hyd Management took a look at. As a matter of fact -- Shivlal and Arjun saga was in the limelight -- when Rayudu left for Andhra and ever since the management had an eye on Arjun -- but he did do decently well and probably even guided Hyd along. Dont forget he has also played for South Zone. How could you not have a guy who is playing for South Zone in your Ranji Team ?

[rkt.india]

TN Districts, Hyderabad in final of Buchi Babu cricket http://indiancricketfans.com/showthread.php?t=173730&page=2&highlight=buchi

[Chandan]

I am not defending Shivlal Yadav. Shivlal might have helped his son, my point is Arjun Yadav deserves a place in the battered and bruised Hyd Ranji Team. Remember when 7 or 8 guys deserted Hyd, that was the 1st thing Hyd Management took a look at. As a matter of fact -- Shivlal and Arjun saga was in the limelight -- when Rayudu left for Andhra and ever since the management had an eye on Arjun -- but he did do decently well and probably even guided Hyd along. Dont forget he has also played for South Zone. How could you not have a guy who is playing for South Zone in your Ranji Team ?

We all know how Arjun gets selected for the zonal team. He even played for India A, Emerging players etc etc. What performance he had there to be selected for those squads? He isn't even in top 50 current players of India. And I'm not against him playing for Hyderabad. It is this states bad luck that it had chosen a chief so hell bent on promoting his son. It was how Arjun was made the skipper of Hyderabad when he did not deserve it, and then treated Rayudu badly!!

[jusarrived]

Rayadus Technique is not bad , problem for him is that he gets little overambitious some times and in the past on lot of ocassions thrown away his wicket after getting a start ...reminds me of Ashraful in lot of aspects . & even I was very impressed with A Mithun , was touching 140 effortlessly ...lots of scope for improvement in his action ...bowled some genuine wicket taking balls , but it being a T20 match was expensive...will be a different bowler in ODIs and Tests imo

[Chandan]

Rayadus Technique is not bad , problem for him is that he gets little overambitious some times and in the past on lot of ocassions thrown away his wicket after getting a start ...reminds me of Ashraful in lot of aspects . & even I was very impressed with A Mithun , was touching 140 effortlessly ...lots of scope for improvement in his action ...bowled some genuine wicket taking balls , but it being a T20 match was expensive...will be a different bowler in ODIs and Tests imo

Where did you see both these players play? Anyway, semifinal of Buchi Babu is finished and Hyderabad has carried its team into into final. This is the report: Hyderabad XI to meet Combined Districts Sports Reporter Hyderabad XI won the spin of the coin after inclement weather cut short the intriguing Buchi Babu semifinal against Karnataka XI at the IC-Guru Nanak ground here on Wednesday. In the finals starting on Friday, Hyderabad will meet Combined Districts, which overcame Assam by seven wickets in the other semifinal at Chepauk. Pursuing 247, Karnataka was 225 for nine in 78.2 overs when rain ended the contest. For Hyderabad, skipper Pragyan Ojha claimed five for 67 in 32 overs. Karnataka’s Thilak Naidu remained unbeaten on a fighting 72 (166b, 8x4). The pace-spin combination of S.M. Shoaib and Ojha worked well for Hyderabad. Shoaib, both, contained and struck. The lanky paceman picked up three for 36 in 21 tight overs. Left-armer Ojha trapped the in-form Amit Varma (36) leg-before and prised out the big-hitting Stuart Binny (13). The fifth-wicket partnership of 65 between Naidu and Varma was the highest of the Karnataka innings. Naidu batted with a fine blend of caution and aggression to keep his side in the hunt. Eventually, Hyderabad had the rub of the green. Arun Karthik scores century Combined Districts registered a seven-wicket win over Assam in the other semifinal at MAC, overhauling the 268 target in 65.3 overs, a few minutes before tea, principally through K.B. Arun Karthik’s 124 (160 balls, 4x6, 5x4). Districts began well, reaching 60 for the loss of opener Thalaivan Sargunam, and sat pretty on 125 for one in 36 overs at the stroke of lunch. Arun Karthick celebrates after scoring a century in the Buchi Babu Invitation tournament on Wednesday. Arun Karthik and R. Srinivasan added 102 runs in 29.1 overs for the second wicket, taking the score to 162 before the latter top-edged offie Arnel Konwar straight to point. Arun Karthik continued to impress and brought up his century in 128 balls with a huge six off Konwar. Suresh Kumar also picked Konwar for special treatment, punching him through the covers for four and swinging one over mid-off to bring up the 200 for his team in the 54th over. Arun Karthik holed out to a slower one from left-armer Parvez Aziz, but Suresh (55 not out) maintained the tempo and, in the company of all-rounder K. Sriram, rattled up 56 runs in 55 balls for an unbroken fourth-wicket partnership that took Combined Districts home. The bowling was nothing to shout home about for Assam with Parvez Aziz, Arnel Konwar, and medium pacer Pritam Das picking up a wicket each. The scores: Hyderabad XI 246 vs Karnataka XI 225 for nine in 78.2 overs (Thilak Naidu 72 not out, Pragyan Ojha five for 67). Match unfinished; Hyderabad declared winner by toss of coin. Assam 267 in 87.5 overs lost to Combined Districts 270 for three in 65.3 overs (K.B. Arun Karthik 124, Suresh Kumar 55 n.o.). ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I think Pragyan Ojha did quite well along with Rayudu for Hyderabad!

[Guest Shivani]

Where did you see both these players play? Anyway, semifinal of Buchi Babu is finished and Hyderabad has carried its team into into final. This is the report: Hyderabad XI to meet Combined Districts Sports Reporter Hyderabad XI won the spin of the coin after inclement weather cut short the intriguing Buchi Babu semifinal against Karnataka XI at the IC-Guru Nanak ground here on Wednesday. In the finals starting on Friday, Hyderabad will meet Combined Districts, which overcame Assam by seven wickets in the other semifinal at Chepauk. Pursuing 247, Karnataka was 225 for nine in 78.2 overs when rain ended the contest. For Hyderabad, skipper Pragyan Ojha claimed five for 67 in 32 overs. Karnataka’s Thilak Naidu remained unbeaten on a fighting 72 (166b, 8x4). The pace-spin combination of S.M. Shoaib and Ojha worked well for Hyderabad. Shoaib, both, contained and struck. The lanky paceman picked up three for 36 in 21 tight overs. Left-armer Ojha trapped the in-form Amit Varma (36) leg-before and prised out the big-hitting Stuart Binny (13). The fifth-wicket partnership of 65 between Naidu and Varma was the highest of the Karnataka innings. Naidu batted with a fine blend of caution and aggression to keep his side in the hunt. Eventually, Hyderabad had the rub of the green. Arun Karthik scores century Combined Districts registered a seven-wicket win over Assam in the other semifinal at MAC, overhauling the 268 target in 65.3 overs, a few minutes before tea, principally through K.B. Arun Karthik’s 124 (160 balls, 4x6, 5x4). Districts began well, reaching 60 for the loss of opener Thalaivan Sargunam, and sat pretty on 125 for one in 36 overs at the stroke of lunch. Arun Karthick celebrates after scoring a century in the Buchi Babu Invitation tournament on Wednesday. Arun Karthik and R. Srinivasan added 102 runs in 29.1 overs for the second wicket, taking the score to 162 before the latter top-edged offie Arnel Konwar straight to point. Arun Karthik continued to impress and brought up his century in 128 balls with a huge six off Konwar. Suresh Kumar also picked Konwar for special treatment, punching him through the covers for four and swinging one over mid-off to bring up the 200 for his team in the 54th over. Arun Karthik holed out to a slower one from left-armer Parvez Aziz, but Suresh (55 not out) maintained the tempo and, in the company of all-rounder K. Sriram, rattled up 56 runs in 55 balls for an unbroken fourth-wicket partnership that took Combined Districts home. The bowling was nothing to shout home about for Assam with Parvez Aziz, Arnel Konwar, and medium pacer Pritam Das picking up a wicket each. The scores: Hyderabad XI 246 vs Karnataka XI 225 for nine in 78.2 overs (Thilak Naidu 72 not out, Pragyan Ojha five for 67). Match unfinished; Hyderabad declared winner by toss of coin. Assam 267 in 87.5 overs lost to Combined Districts 270 for three in 65.3 overs (K.B. Arun Karthik 124, Suresh Kumar 55 n.o.). ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I think Pragyan Ojha did quite well along with Rayudu for Hyderabad!

He's done well in every match that he's played (national/international/local) Don't understand what made the selectors go for Mishra instead of him ...

[vvvslaxman]

He's done well in every match that he's played (national/international/local) Don't understand what made the selectors go for Mishra instead of him ...

Pakistan sucks against even average left arm spinner. Ojha would have been more than handy.

[Guest Hiten.]

Winner of semis was decided by toss of coin ? Atrocious!

[Guest Shivani]

today was d finals na ? which team won ?

[Chandan]

Combined Districts looks set for title triumph Suresh Kumar scalps six as Hyderabad folds for 154 WRECKER-IN-CHIEF: Off-spinner S. Suresh Kumar appeals successfully against Arjun Yadav — one of his six victims. Chennai: Combined Districts is on its way to a historic maiden title in the Buchi Babu tournament. After bundling out Hyderabad XI for 154, Districts was 49 without loss on the first day of the final at Chepauk here on Friday. Hyderabad was undone by S. Suresh Kumar’s tight off-spin after it elected to bat. Suresh Kumar scalped six for 35 in 24.4 overs. He bowled to a good line — he spun them into the right-hander from just outside the off-stump — and used the straighter one and the arm-ball effectively. Importantly, he varied his pace. Hyderabad batsmen found the going tough as they failed to negotiate Tamil Nadu off spinner S Suresh Kumar, who claimed six for 35 in 24.4 overs of which 12 were maidens. “It was a slow pitch and we decided to restrict the scoring to under two runs an over to apply the pressure. It was not a helpful surface but we created the pressure by denying easy runs,” Suresh Kumar revealed. The ball turned, but slowly. However, the odd ball did bounce awkwardly. Amol Shinde was brilliantly held by a diving X. Thalaivan Sargunam at short-leg after a Suresh Kumar delivery jumped from a length. In all, Suresh Kumar sent down two spells — 22-12-28-3 and 2.4-0-7-3 — from the pavilion end. He retained his concentration for long periods and was patient. There was handy support for him from the other end. Hyderabad failed to build partnerships — the highest association of the innings was 51 for the third wicket between opener Abhinav Kumar (30) Benjamin Thomas (19). Key batsman Ambati Rayudu was dismissed for no score, under-edging an attempted pull off paceman M.K. Sivakumar on to his stumps. Undone by the run-outs of openers T. Suman (4) and Abhinav, Hyderabad never quite recovered. Abhinav Kumar (30) and Benjamin Thomas (19) added 51 runs in 23.1 overs for the third wicket to raise hopes of revival but it just turned out to be a flash in the pan. Both Abhinav Kumar and Thomas, who was caught by Sivakumar of Suresh Kumar, were out at the same score of 60. Wickets fell regularly after that though the sixth wicket pair of Ahmed Quadri (25) and Amol Shinde (16) added 30 runs. When Districts chased, the in-form K.B. Arun Karthick (41 batting, 4x4, 1x6) flashed drives through covers, boomed a few strokes down-the-ground and whipped his flicks. The signs are ominous for Hyderabad. The scores (final): Hyderabad 154 all out 78.4 overs (Abhinav Kumar 30, Benjamin Thomas 19, Arjun Yadav 17, Ahmed Quadri 25, Pragyan Ohja 18, S.M.Shoiab 17, Amol Shinde 16, Suresh Kumar 6/35, Sivakumar 1/23, R.Jesuraj 1/27) and Combined Districts 49 without loss in 13 overs (K.B.Arun Karthick batting 41, Thalaivan Surgunam batting 8).

[Chandan]

Districts wins Buchi Babu title They surged into the ground moments after R. Srinivasan pulled off-spinner Amol Shinde for the winning runs. The Combined Districts’ cricketers realised history had been made. The Districts achieved its maiden success in the Buchi Babu tournament here on Saturday. The K.B. Arun Karthick-led side, chasing 155, defeated Hyderabad XI by seven wickets in the first session of the second and final day at Chepauk. Resuming at their overnight score of 49 without loss, Combined Districts made 156/3 in 38.3 overs in reply to Hyderabad's 154 all out in 78.4 overs, thanks mainly to Arun Karthick's 77-ball 68. Left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha dismissed opener Arun Karthick for a well-made 68 (77b, 7x4, 1x6) – the batsman was picked up at silly point — and combined with ‘keeper Abhinav Kumar to consume X. Thalaivan Sargunam (24). Karthick, who shared 81 runs for the first wicket with S Thalaivan Surgunam (24), hit seven fours and a six in his innings before being dismissed by Pragyan Ojha. Bowling hero S. Suresh Kumar, who has been consistent in the tournament with both bat and ball, could make only nine runs before being caught by Abhinav Kumar of off-spinner Vishal Sharma. He fell early when the ball deflected to the ‘keeper from the fielder at short-leg — off-spinner Vishal Sharma was the bowler, but R. Srinivasan (31 not out) and K. Sriram (20 not out) ensured that the Districts romped home. The unfinished fourth wicket which yielded 36 runs. Chief Guest and chairman of the National and State selection panel, Krishnamachai Srikkanth said the cricketers from the districts had come a long way. “There was a time when we used to defeat the Districts in a day. They have now grown in belief. And they have a strong presence in the State squad. Cricket has spread to the smaller towns in India and there is plenty of talent in these parts,” he said. Talking about the Buchi Babu tournament he said: “I remember that it was an innings in the Buchi Babu competition that enabled me make the State side. It is a very important competition for those making the transition from league cricket to first class cricket. Even for the established cricketers, it is a forerunner for the season ahead. I remember cricketers like Sunil Gavaskar, Sandeep Patil and Ravi Shastri wanting to play in the Buchi Babu tournament.” Hyderabad coach Venkatapathy Raju said the Districts was the best team in the competition. “They were good in all the departments. They are naturally athletic and fielded brilliantly. They were also very aggressive on the field,” he added. About his own team’s performance, Raju said: “we made it to the final here after a long time, which is creditable. But we need to be more consistent with our batting.” Districts captain Arun Karthick, amidst rousing victory celebrations in the dressing room, said: “as you can see, we are a very united bunch. We back each other. Our team-spirit is the key,” he said. The Districts won Rs.One lakh in prize money. Hyderabad took home Rs.50,000. S. Ganesan, TNCA vice-president, proposed a vote of thanks. The scores (final): Hyderabad XI 154 lost to Combined Districts 156 for three in 38.3 overs (K.B. Arun Karthick 68). --------------------------------------------------------------- Hope Tamil Nadu does well in Ranji this time. I'll be looking forward to S Suresh's bowling and how he does compared to other spinners in the country.